Posted: July 12th, 2024

Nurse’s Role in Improving the Health Literacy of patients

Nurse’s Role in Improving the Health Literacy of patients.

Health literacy is defined as the degree and the ability of a patient to obtain, understand, process communicate, and utilize health information in arriving at informed healthcare decisions. This concept is crucial in modern healthcare, as it directly impacts patient outcomes and overall well-being. According to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an individual is said to have proficient health literacy skills if they understand basic healthcare concepts including, illnesses, the functioning of the body, treatment and care regimes, among others. The ability to comprehend these concepts empowers patients to take an active role in their own healthcare journey. Studies also show that patients with lower health literacy have poorer health outcomes and have higher medical costs. This correlation underscores the importance of addressing health literacy as a key factor in improving public health and reducing healthcare disparities.

Unfortunately, health literacy among Americans is still relatively low. This situation presents a significant challenge for healthcare providers and policymakers alike. According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Prevention, only a mere 12% of Americans possess competent health literacy skills. This statistic is alarming and highlights the urgent need for interventions to improve health literacy across the population. A recent study by Carolyn Dickens, a nurse practitioner at the University of Illinois Chicago established that nurses often overestimate their patient’s health literacy levels. This finding suggests that healthcare providers may need additional training to accurately assess and address their patients’ health literacy needs. Also, a bigger percentage of Americans with lower health literacy levels are those in rural areas, those with low income, the racial minorities, and older adults who did not get a basic education. These demographic trends indicate that targeted interventions may be necessary to address health literacy disparities in specific populations. This shows that there is a huge demand for health literacy in certain patient groups.

Nurses play a central role in ensuring that their patients understand various healthcare issues and concerns, especially those that have an immediate impact on their health and general well-being. Their position on the front lines of patient care makes them ideally suited to address health literacy challenges. Nurses are in constant and direct contact with patients and are therefore the best in promoting health literacy in patients. This frequent interaction provides numerous opportunities for education and support. They should aim to ensure that their patients are well informed both in terms of preventive measures, such as knowing the importance of maintaining a healthy diet, benefits of exercising, impacts of smoking, and treatment-oriented measures such as observing medication guidelines. By focusing on both preventive and treatment aspects, nurses can help patients develop a comprehensive understanding of their health.

Nurses can improve the health literacy of their patients in many ways. These strategies can be tailored to individual patient needs and implemented across various healthcare settings. One is by creating a welcoming environment. This approach helps to reduce anxiety and build trust, which are essential for effective communication. By creating a trusting relationship, patients will feel free and open to talk about their health problems with the nurses and other health professionals. This open dialogue can lead to better health outcomes and increased patient satisfaction. Nurses should also try to infiltrate into society by visiting community clinics and homes or by making printed information to reach out to patients and individuals in rural regions. These outreach efforts can help bridge the gap between healthcare providers and underserved communities.

Nurses should embrace the need to use the simplest possible language when addressing and giving health care advice and instruction to patients. This practice, known as plain language communication, is crucial for ensuring that health information is accessible to all patients, regardless of their educational background or literacy level. Patients are different and many of them do not understand even the simplest medical information. Recognizing this diversity in patient understanding is key to providing effective, patient-centered care. Another interesting approach is by encouraging a question and answer session during consultation. This interactive method promotes active learning and helps clarify any misunderstandings. This way, patients will feel that their concerns are listened to and taken seriously. The nurse is also able to assess and establish their patients to establish the best way to educate them about their health. This personalized approach can significantly enhance the effectiveness of health literacy interventions.

References:
Barton, Amy J., et al. “Health literacy: essential for a culture of health.” The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing 49.2 (2018): 73-78.

Loan, Lori A., et al. “Call for action: nurses must play a critical role to enhance health literacy.” Nursing outlook 66.1 (2018): 97-100.

Macabasco-O’Connell, Aurelia, and Eileen K. Fry-Bowers. “Knowledge and perceptions of health literacy among nursing professionals.” Journal of Health Communication 16.sup3 (2011): 295-307.

Hogan, A., et al. “Nurses’ assessment of health literacy requirements for patients in acute hospital settings: A scoping review.” Health Promotion Journal of Australia (2024). [This recent review examines how nurses assess patients’ health literacy needs in acute care settings, providing valuable insights for improving health literacy interventions.]

Bindhu, S., et al. “Roles of Health Literacy in Relation to Social Determinants of Health: A Scoping Review.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 21.3 (2024): 1270. [This 2024 study explores the relationship between health literacy and social determinants of health, offering a broader perspective on the factors influencing health literacy.]

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